By
Bloomberg
Published
May 3, 2025
A commercial association that represents the main footwear manufacturers has urpted the Trump administration to exempt the shoes of the proposed tariffs, warning that the taxes could significantly raise consumer prices and force companies to close.
In a letter dated April 29, the Footwear Distributors and the Retainers of America asked President Donald Trump to reconsider rates, describing them as an “existential threat” for the industry.
“If the current situation continues, US workers and consumers will suffer,” the group said. “This is an emergency that requires immediate action and attention.”
Several prominent companies, including Nike Inc., Under Armor Inc., Puma Se and the US subsidiary of Adidas, signed the letter.
According to the signatories, the tariffs “will not lead to the manufacture of shoes to the United States” due to the need for “a significant capital investment and years of planning to change the supply.” Companies argued that they cannot absorb additional costs while simultaneously reviewing their business models to favor national production.
Vietnam and Indonesia, Major's global footwear centers, are among the countries that face the most steep rate increases. In particular, Vietnam produces approximately half of all Nike brand shoes, highlighting the scale of the possible interruption.
At the end of April, President Trump announced a 90 -day break about several proposed tariffs, including those attacked to Vietnam and Indonesia. The measure caused strong falls in capital markets and caused generalized criticisms of business leaders, who warned about the long -term consequences for US commercial stability.
Fashionnetwork.com with Bloomberg
